Abstract
Because few well-preserved hydrothermal channels have been found in terrestrial sedimentary rocks, research on LTHA in geological history is relatively sparse. In this study, we present our original discovery of “hydrothermal channels” from the Chang 7 source rocks of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, China, and provide the best evidence for deciphering LTHA preserved in the geological record (i.e., sedimentary rocks). Three possible LTHA samples (i.e., samples 1551.6, 1551.6-2 and 1574.4) were collected for this study; they were interbedded with mudstones and oil shales, indicative of a deep-lake sedimentary environment. All three samples consist mainly of anhydrite, pyrite, and dolomite with the formation of mineral zoning across the walls of these structures, suggesting a sulfate-dominated stage and a carbonate-sulfide replacement stage. Moreover, their in situ geochemistry is characterized by high Eu, U, Th, Sr, Mn and U/Th ratios, which are typical indicators of hydrothermal vents. In addition, their S isotopes range from 7.89% to 10.88%, the magmatic sulfur accounted for approximately 94.3%, implying a possible magmatic trigger for these hydrothermal channels. All this evidence shows that the Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Ordos Basin probably contain LTHA. Comparing ancient LTHA to modern hydrothermal chimneys, we should note the important implications of LTHA; their formation mechanism may have been related to oil production, and they are possible indicators for future oil investigations. Further, they have great significance for studying the hydrothermal properties of primary dolomite.
Triassic Low Temperature Hydrothermal Activities(LTHA) From the Ordos Basin of Northern China